Yarn carrier rod alternating attachment for knitting machines



YARN CARRIER ROD ALTERNATING ATTACHMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 16, 1955 O 7 2 IE m an A IE0 e I 0 km 1 INVENTORS FORREST E. DEATO N CHARLES Bl/VGE/VHE/MER ug pm April 1957 F. E. DEATON ETAL 2,790,314

YARN CARRIER ROD ALTERNATING ATTACHMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 16, 1955 4 Shets-Sheef: 2

F104. no.5.

FIGJZ FIGJ8.

WELT FABRIC LEG FABRIC 94 INVENTORS F RREST E. DEA TON CHARL ES 'B/IVGE/Vh'E/MER ATTORNEYS April 30, 1957 F. E. DEATON ErAL 2,790,314

YARN CARRIER ROD ALTERNATING ATTACHMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTORS FORREST E. DEA TON 4 CHARLES BINGENHEIMER ATTORNEYS April 30, 1957 F. E. DEATON EI'AL. 7 2,790,314

YARN CARRIER ALTERNATING ATTACHMENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Filed Dec. 16, 1955 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 64 INVENTORS FOR/7E E. DEATON CHARL B/NGE/VHE/MER ATTORNEYS YARN CARRIER ROD ALTERNATING ATTACH- MENT FOR KNITTING MACHINES Forrest E. Deaton and Charles Bingenheimer, Burlington,

N. C., assignors to Burlington Industries, Inc., Greensboro, N. C., a corporation of Delaware Application December 16, 1955, Serial No. 553,587

14 Claims. (Cl. 66-127) This invention relates to straight or full-fashioned knitting machines, and in particular to yarn carrier rod alternating atachements therefor.

It is common practice to knit the major portion of fullfashioned hosiery blanks according to the ringless principle, that is with a plurality of yarns, usually three, used successively in consecutive courses of the fabric. In knitting full-fashioned stretch hosiery, it is similarly common practice to knit the major portion of the blanks with two oppositely twisted yarns, using the yarns alternately in successive courses or series of courses of the fabric. For these and similar purposes, standard practice is to provide a friction box arrangement having automatic carrier rod selector means for connecting and releasing the multiple yarn carrier rods utilized in the knitting.

Co-pending application Serial Number 553,588, filed December 16, 1955 by Grover C. Furr, discloses an improved full stretch stocking wherein the welt and afterwelt fabric is knitted of alternating courses, or series of courses, of relatively heavy oppositely twisted nylon monofilament yarns, for example 40 denier. The sheer leg fabric is knitted in similar fashion with relatively light oppositely twisted monofilament yarns, for example 15 denier. The 15 denier twist yarns extend throughout the heel and foot of the stocking, whereat they may be reinforced by 20 denier raw (untwisted) yarn, and optionally through the toe also. If the 15 denier twist yarns are used in the toe, this portion is reinforced with 20 denier raw yarn. Alternatively, the toe portion may be knitted with oppositely twisted 40 denier yarns.

Manufacture of stockings of this and similar types on conventional straight knitting machines, such as the Reading full-fashioned machines manufactured by the Textile Machine Works, is complicated due to the number of different yarns employed, and the consequent necessity for involved and multiplied friction box arrangements to permit the appropriate selection of yarns through the course of the knitting cycle.

A principal object of the present invention is to provide an improved yarn carrier rod alternating attachment for straight knitting machines, having a dual-purpose or multiple range function permitting a single attachment to operate selectively with diverse groups of carrier rods. A related object is to provide a versatile attachment of this type, readily constructed by minor and inexpensive modification of standard three-carrier atachments.

Another object of the invention is to provide an alternating attachment adapted to increase the versatility of straight knitting machines, to reduce the down time and otherwise improve the overall efiiciency thereof.

A further object is to provide an improved alternating attachment for full-fashioned knitting machines adapted to facilitate the knitting of full stretch hosiery, wherein different groups of yarns are employed in different portions thereof, to reduce yarn breakage in such knitting, and the final product cost. Further objects will be in part evident and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention and the novel features thereof may best be made clear from the following description and the.

accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a conventional and well known three-carrier attachment of the two lever type, modified in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view of the device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 is a top end view, taken on the line 3-3 of Figure l;

Figure 4 is a fragmentary plan view, on enlarged scale, taken on the line 4-4 of Figure 3, showing details of the novel means provided for shifting the operating range of the device;

Figure 5 is a sectional view, on enlarged scale, taken on the line 5-5 of Figure 3, further illustrating details of the means for shifting the operating range;

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of the device, taken substantially on the line 6-6 of Figure 1;

Figure 7 is a sectional view of the device, taken substantially on the line 77 of Figure 1, illustrating one operational position of one of the shifting levers;

Figure 8 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 7,

illustrating the position of the shifting lever in another range;

Figure 9 is a sectional view corresponding to Figure 8, but illustrating the altered relationship of the parts due to rotation of the cam through 60.

Figure 10 is a sectional view taken along the line 10-10 of Figure 1, illustrating one operative range of the other shifting lever;

Figures 11, 12 and 13 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the device in one range;

Figures 14, 1S and 16 are diagrams illustrating the operation of the device in another range;

Figure 17 is an illustration of a full-fashioned, fullstretch stocking blank in connection with which the present invention is described, and

Figure 18 is a diagrammatic illustration of the sequential movement of the yarn carriers employed in knitting the stocking of Figure 17.

Referring to the drawings in detail, and particularly to Figures 1, 2 and 6 thereof, the illustrated embodiment of the invention comprises essentially a conventional threecarrier attachment of the two lever type, including a friction box frame 20 mounted in customary cooperative relationship with cam shaft 22, full speed friction rod 24 and half speed friction rod 26. In the drawings and descrip-- tion, only the means necessary to a complete understanding of the present invention are specifically set forth. Further information as to the construction and operation of other related, usual and well known knitting machine elements, mechanisms, etc., may be found in one or more of the following publications:

1. Pamphlet entitled-Full-Fashioned Knitting Machines -published and copyrighted by the Textile Machine lished by the Wyomissing Polytechnic Institute,

Wyomissing, Pennsylvania, in 19315.

Therpartienlar carrier rod alternating vattachment,herein illustrated is shown generally on pages 197 to 203 of the aforesaid 1940 Parts Catalog, and its usual function and operation is fully described inqAutem Patent No.:.

shiftingzlever 36 is simil'arly'mountedrtAn extensioniof each cam lever 34 supports a cam follower 38, adapted. to ride a corresponding cam::40,- fwhich; is. journalled-,; by

Inside each frame arm,28. sha'ft;32. mounts: a cam lever 34, and inside each cam lever a cooperative.

means of a laterally extending integral sleeve 42, 1in: the:

adjacent frame arm 28 andkeyedior'otherwiseiengagedto the:.enclo'sed.cam shaft 22. Lock ringsr44" may be engaged to'.the. cam-sleeves i42,outside'the frame arms, to.

tively rotate the associated cam lever and shifting lever.

tmmaintain the extensions. 46 and 48 thereof in contact.- Eachshifting lever extension 48 is customarily provided with an adjustment screw 56 and lock nut 58 therefor, the adjustment screw extending through the extension to limit the approach of the corresponding extension 46 thereto. bifurcate finger 60, disposed, when the friction box-is in active-operation, to engage dogs 62 mounted on the'carrier rods 64 of the machine.

The eccentric shaft 32 is provided with an outwardly extending handle 66, through which extends an axially movable detent 68 adapted to engage the pivot shaft 30 at two positions angularly spaced about 180 apart. such position is illustrated in Figures 1 'and'6, in which position the shifting lever fingers 60 are suitably'extended in the direction of the carrier rods" 64 to engage the car rier rod dogs 62. As will be understood, the detent. 68

may be withdrawn outwardly to disengage it from the One Each shifting lever 36 comprises a single or pivot shaft, and the handle 66 and eccentric shaft 32' then rotated approximately 180 on pivot shaft .30, in counterclockwise direction as viewed in Figure'6, toretract the shifting levers and theirfingers 60 from the carrierrod dogs, thereby rendering the friction box inoperative.

A spring 70, shown in Figures 9 and 10, extends from each shifting lever to the friction box frame, andtends to rotate the associated shifting lever, and through it the corresponding cam lever, in such direction as tomaintain'the cam lever follower 38 in contact with its earn 401 A reinforcing bridge 72 extends across the shifting levers earns 40, in such manner as to sequentially engage and.

displace the involved carrier rods in predetermined-order. Rotation ofcam shaft 22 is effected by conventional pawl and ratchet means (notshown) operated from the usual connecting bar of the machine. in a manner similar to that shown and described in the Autem Patent .No. 2,219,733, and shown in the 1940 Parts Catalog previously referred to. In normal three-carrienoperation, the

shifting lever fingers function witha fixed group or range ofcarrier-rods, for'example withirods1, 2 and 3. In'thi's well known operation; one shiftingslever mayinitially displace carrier rod, 2 in vone direction.

stroke of the attachment, the other shifting lever may return carrier rod 3. The now shifted first lever may then displace rod 1 in the initial direction, and thereafter the shifted second lever may return rod 2. The first lever next displaces rod 3, and the second on the reverse stroke returns rod 1, this repeated cycle effecting the ringless knitting referred to.

For knitting stretch stockings, it is known to adapt and utilize thesame attachment. for two carrier operation. Thisinvolves substitution of the shifting levers 36 and earns 40 by similar elements of different configuration, and usually alsocorresponding alteration of. the drive for cam shaft 22. V In this type of knitting, one shifting lever finger may be alternated in position between two adjacent carrier rods, the other shifting lever not pivoting but being provided with an extended finger covering andoperatively aligned with'both carrierrods. That :is, theshifting finger may first displace, for example, rod. 1,

which is then returned by the other finger. The mean- 1 while camshiftedfirst finger may next displace rod 2, which onthe reverse stroke is also returned by the unshifted second finger. manner may be. knitted two courses of a yarn having twist in one direction,.followed.by two courses of a simi- Thisdetermined group offcarrier rods, and cannot beutilizedwith otherv groups of rods, except by disassembly. of the attachment and replacement of the shifting levers and/or cams. withsimilar elements of different configuration.

In accordance with the present invention, the alternating attachment is modified to provide a dual or multiple range of operation, that is to permit selective alignment and operation of the shifting lever fingers with diverse groups of carrier rods. In the illustrative embodiment this isaccornplished most simply by providing means for altering the normalangular relationship between the cam levers and shifting levers of the device. This may be d0ne,.as.bestshown in Figures 3, 4 and 5, by modifying the cam leverextensions 46 into the'form of laterally and outwardlyextending pads 74. A spacer block- 76 is mountedby means of a pivot stud 78 for swinging movement on each pad 74, on the'side thereof facing the corresponding shifting lever extension 48; Each spacer block is provided on its upper surface with a longitudinally extending stop ledge 80 and on its outer-end withan extending handle 82, and each pad 74'carriesan' upstandingstop 84-positioned and disposed to limit the outward swinging movement-of thespacer blocks." Each pad 74, insubstantial axial alignment, with the corre-' spondingadjustment screw 56, is drilled to accommodate a similar adjustment screw 86, which is provided with a blunt inner end surface 88 anda lock nut 90. adapted to fix the adjustment screw in desired adjusted position relative to .the pad. 1 i

The operation of the modified attachment will now be described in connection with the knitting ofa full-stretch;

tion ofFig'ureA, the respective cam levers and shifting levers will assume the normal relative positions shown in'-Figures*-9 and" '10; In this configuration; the shifting On thereturn- This cycle is repeated, and in this levers and their fingers 60 will be carrier rods 4 and 6.

The right-hand (as viewed in Figure 1) cam 40 comprises three lobes 102 spaced apart 120, and separated by annular low segments 104. If the cam follower 38 rests upon one of the low segments 104 of the cam, as shown in Figure 8, the shifting lever'finger 60 is disposed to engage a dog 62 afiixed to carrier rod 4, but to miss the corresponding'dog fixed to rod 6. Rotation of cam shaft 22 and cam 40 through 60 is effective to displace the cam follower onto a lobe 102, thereby pivoting the cam lever 34 and shifting lever 36 so that the finger 60 of the latter is disposed to engage a dog' fixed on carrier rod 6, but miss the" dog on carrier rod 4,

'as shown in Figure 9. If necessary to accommodate this movement of the shifting lever, a modified bridge 72, provided with cut out slots 106, may be utilized. Further rotation of the cam shaft and cam returns the elements to the position of Figure 8.

By making the finger 60' of theleft-hand (as viewed in Figure 1) shifting lever 36' wide enough for simultaneous alignment with carrier rods 4 and 6, the necessity for pivotal movement of this shifting lever may be avoided, and the associated cam 40' may be a" blank or circular cam, as shown in Figures and 11. Figures 12 and 13 illustrate the corresponding positional relationships of the other (right-hand in Figure 1) shifting lever and its associated elements, viewed from the same direction as Figure 11.

Referring now to Figures 11, 12 and 13, if the position of cam shaft 22, right-hand cam 40 and shifting lever 36 are as illustrated in Figure 12, and the dogs of carrier rods 4 and 6 are both adjacent the shifting lever, the initial stroke of the alternating attachment to the left as viewed in Figure 1 will result in engagementof the dog on carrier rod 4 by the shifting lever finger and displacement of the rod 4 to the left. The dog of carrier rod 6 is not engaged, and this rod remains motionless. This initial movement of the carrier rod 4 is indicated by the letter A in Figure 18. In the return stroke of the attachment, the shifting lever finger 60' (Figure 11) will aligned generally with then engage and return the carrier rod 4 to initial position. as indicated by movement B of Figure 18.

In the course of one full reciprocation (back and forth movement) of the attachment, the camshaft 22 is rotated 60, turning cam 40 from the position of Figure 12 to the position of Figure 13. The cam follower 38 is thereby caused to ride up onto one of the cam lobes 102, and the shifting lever is displaced to the position illustrated, in alignment with the dog of carrier rod 6 and out of alignment with the rod 4 dog. The succeeding stroke of the alternating attachment to the left will ac-. cordingly displace rod 6 (movement C in Figure 18), and in the following return stroke carrier rod 6 is returned by the shifting lever finger 60' to initial position (movement D in Figure 18). As previously indicated, the extended finger 60' is adapted to-engage either dog, without shifting. In the course of movements C and D, cam shaft 22 and cam 40 are again rotated 60, whereby the right-hand shifting lever is returned to the Figure 12 position, and succeeding movement cf the alternating attachment results in movements A and B. A complete cycle, then, corresponds to movements A, B, C. and D, in the course of which cam shaft 22 turns 120. The cycle, as will be evident, also corresponds to the knitting of four courses, one carrier being moved across the knitting field and back, and then the other, whereby the welt fabric is progressively knitted with two consecutive courses of a 40 denier yarn twisted in one direction, followed by two courses of a similar yarn twisted in the opposite direction, and so on.

At the completion of the after-welt, the machine is stopped, and the spacer blocks 76 inserted between the lever extensions 46 and 48. This may be readily accomplished by depressing each shifting lever to lift its extension 48, and then swinging the associated spacer block With the spacer block in place, its stop ledge cooperates 76 therebeneath, and releasing the shifting lever.

with the adjustment screw 56 of .the shifting lever to prevent inadvertent displacement of v the spacer block.

Insertion of the spacer blocks very materially alters the angular relationship between shifting levers and cam levers. In the present case, the respective shifting lever fingers 60 are moved completely out of' alignment with carrier rods 4 and'6, and into a discrete range'of operation, that is into alignment with a diverse group of carrier rods. In the present example, the shifting lever fingers are moved into operative alignment with the carrier rods 1 and 2. In knitting the exemplary stocking, the'carriers 1 and 2 are threaded with 15 denier yarns of opposite twist. After the spacer blocks have been inserted into the alternating attachment, the machine may be started,

and the knitting will 'proceed'with the 15 denier twist yarn. After two courses have been run, the carriers4 and 6 may be moved out of the knitting field.

The knitting of the leg portion of the stocking blank with the 15. denier yarns may best be understood in connection with Figures 14, 15 and '16. The sequential actuation of the carrier rods corresponds tothat previ-' ously described, in connection with Figures 11, 1'2 and lever 36 overhangs both rods 1 and 2, sothat the returnstroke of the attachment will return carrier rod 1, indicated as movement F in Figure 18. In the course of the above described full reciprocation of the alternating attachment, cam shaft 22 is rotated 60, turning the cam 40 from the position of Figure 15 to the position of Figure '16. The resultant displacement of the cam follower 38 shifts the lever 36 to the positon of Figure 16, whereat its finger 60 is aligned with the dog of carrier rod 2, and out of alignment with the dog of carrier rod 1. In the succeeding stroke of the attachment to the left, then, carrier rod 2 will be,displaced (movement G in Figure 18), and in the following return stroke carrier rod 2 is returned by the lever finger 60 to initial position 1 (movement H in Figure 18). In this manner, the leg of The attachment continues to function through the leg portion, and through the heel and footof the stocking also. At the beginning of the splice, carrier number 7 may be locked in on the left side, and carrier 8 locked in on the right side, and these two carriers, with 20 denier raw (untwisted) yarn, may be utilized to supply reinforcement for the heel and sole, and continue running part of the way in from each side until the beginning of the toe. Through the toe, the 15 denier yarn carriers 1 and 2 may remain in operation, and the two 20 denier carriers may remain locked in, and by raising the splice stops of the latter, a toe having one end of 15 denier twist yarn and two ends of 20 denier raw yarn in each course may be knitted. Alternatively, the machine may be stopped at the beginning of the toe, the spacer blocks 76 removed from between the lever extensions 46 and unlocked and pulled out, and the 15 denier carriers 1 and 2 may. be moved outofjheknitting field aswere the 40.-

denier carriers. '4 and ,6 .atthe beginning, .of. the. leg;

portion. a

In the present invention, the adjustment screws 56 may be-utilizedfor minor adjustmentof the shifting levers in" one range of operation, preferably in' that range wherein the spacer blocks 76 are inp'osition therebeneath. In

the-other range of operation, the shifting lever ,eXten-.

si'ons 48 may abut the cam lever extensions -46, the adjustmrent screws 56 being received in the wells formed by retracted adjustmentscrews 86., Alternatively,,the ladjustment .screws 86 may be positioned so that their end surfaces 88-,will engage the adjustment screws 56 with some minor separation of the lever. extensions 46 and 48, and in this-way the adjustment screws 86 may provide minor adjustment for the range of operation wherein,

the spacer blocks 76'are not utilized.

As will be evident, the conversion of a standard. threecarrier attachment to dual range configuration according to the present invention is relatively simple and inexpensive involving primarily replacement of .the usual cam lever extensions 46 by pads .74, provided witha pivot stud 78, spacer block 76, and stopv 84, anddrilled to accommodate the adjustment screw 86; In some cases,

also, it may be necessary to replace the reinforcing bridge.

72 with a similar bridge providing adequate clearance for the shifting levers. If the attachment is being simultaneously converted from three-carrier to two-carrier operation, it may be necessary also to change the shifting levers 36 and cams 40, and if required by the new cams 40, suitably adjustthe drive to cam shaft. 22. We

have also found it desirable, in the embodiment illustrated,

to'provi'de dual springs 54 between the lever extensions l and 52 associated with the shaped cam 40. This may be accomplished simply by suitably altering the outer endsof these extensions to accommodate two rather than one spring, as shown in Figures 1 and 2.

In the illustrated example, multiple range operation is. effected by providing means for altering the normal angu lar-relationship between cam'levers and shifting levers.

It will be evident that the same result may be effected.

by other means. For'example, the cam lever 34, and in particular the extension thereof supporting cam follower L 38, may be provided with means for'varying the angular relationship of the cam follower 'to the cam lever, whereby. the relative angular relationshipof-the cam and shifting levers to the carrier rods may be altered, without altering the angular relationship oft-he shifting levers relative to the cam levers.

The manifold advantages of'the dual 'rangeiat-tachment Obviously, a single. attachmentmay 1 will be evident.

perform what previously required two attachmentgiwith' consequent reduction in strain on the fn'ctionrod drive motor. In the knitting cycle described by way ofexample, yarn breakage in the course of the knittingof'the Welt is virtually eliminated, IdUe to the relatively heavy yarn employed, while yet'knitting a welt fabric having full stretch characteristics." The 15 denier yarn carriersbeing' out of operation during the" welt knitting, new cones of 15 denier yarn maybe tied on at this time without stopping the machine, thereby eliminating down time and improving the overall efficiency of the knitting operation.

It will thus be seen that there has been provided "by this invention a structurein which the various objects hereinbefore set forth, together'with many practical advantages, are successfully achieved. As'various possible embodimentsmay be made of. the mechanical features of the above invention, all without departing from the scope thereof, it is tobe understood that all matter hereinbefore set forth orshownin the. accompanying drawings; is to be interpreted as' illustrative, and notin a limiting.

sense.

We claim:

1. A carrier rodIalternating-attachment.including shifta inglevers, means for shifting at least one of said levers in the courseof operation of said attachment, and spacer block, means .for .altering the positional relationshipof said'levers to vary the operative range thereof.

2. 'A carrier rod alternating attachment including pivot= ally'shifting-levers, cam means for shifting at least one of said levers in the course of operation of said attach-. ment, and spacer block means for altering the. angularrelationship' of said levers to vary the'operative range thereof.

3. A carrier rod alternating attachment of the two lever type including a pair of cam levers, a pair of shifting. levers cooperative respectively-with said cam levers, cam

means fol-pivoting at least one of said cam levers in the.

courseofoperation of said attachment, whereby the co operative shifting leveris similarly pivoted, and spacer block means .for altering the. angular relationship-of said shifting levers relatiye to said cam levers to vary the operative range of said shifting levers.

4. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, a carrier rod .alternatin'g attachment including shifting levers, means for shiftingat least one of said levers in the course of operatidn ofsaid attachment, and means for altering the positional relationship of said levers to efiect operative alignment of said shiftinglevers with diverse groups of carrier .rods of :the machine.

f5.:In.a full-fashionedknitting. machine, a carrier rod alternating-attachment includingpivotally shifting levers,

cam means forshifting at'least oneof saidlevers in .the course of operation of said attachment, and means .for .altering-therangular'relationship of said leversto eifectv operative alignment of said shifting levers with diverse groups of-carrierrods of the machine.

6. In'a full-fashioned knitting machine,xa carrier rod alternating attachment'of .the two lever type including a painof cam 'levers,"a pair of shifting levers cooperative respectively with said cam levers, cam means for pivoting at least one of said cam levers in the course of operation of said attachment; whereby. the cooperative shifting lever'is'similarly pivoted, and means for altering the 'angularrelationship of said shifting. levers relative. to said camlevers to effect'operative alignment of said shifting levers'with diverse groups of carrier IGdSiOf the machine.

7. A carrier rod alternating attachment of the two lever type includinga pairof'cam levers, a pair of shifting leverscooperative respectively with said cam levers, catn means for pivotingatleast one of saidcam levers in the course of operation of said attachment, whereby the 00- operative shifting lever is similarly pivoted, spacer .block means for altering the angularrelationship of said shifting levers relativeto said camlevers to vary the operative range ofsaid'shifting levers, and meansfor'minor adjustment-of the angular-relationship of said shiftingslevers andiits cooperative shifting lever tendingto maintainthc. extensions thereof in, abutment, cam means for pivoting at lleastione .of. saidicamlevers in the .course of operation offs'aidfattachment, whereby the cooperativeshifting leveris similarly.pivoted and movahle spacing means 3550013 atedwitlt each cooperative pair. of extensionsadapted to alter the normalrelative positional relationship there-- between.

9. -A;carrier rod; alternating attachment:;of'.the..two

lever type..-including'two camlevers, a shiftinglever. cow operative with each of .said:cam.levers, an extension on: I eachtcam- :lever -an:extensiomon; each. shifting lever cooperative with the extension of the cooperative cam lever to limit relative angular movement therebetween in one direction, spring means operative upon each cam lever and its cooperative shifting lever tending to maintain the extensions thereof in abutment, cam means for pivoting at least one of said cam levers in the course of operation.

of said attachment, whereby the cooperative shifting lever is similarly pivoted, and a movable spacer block associated with each of said cam lever extensions disposed for interposition between said cam lever extension and the cooperative shifting lever extension to alter the normal relative positional relationship therebetween.

10. The invention as defined in claim 9, including adjustment means associated with each shifting lever extension adapted to limit the approach of said extension to the cooperative spacer block.

11. The invention as defined in claim 10, including further adjustment means associated with each cam lever extension adapted to limit the approach of the cooperative shifting lever extension thereto.

12. A carrier rod alternating attachment of the two lever type including two cam levers, a shifting lever cooperative with each of said carn levers, an extension on each cam lever, an extension on each shifting lever cooperative with the extension of the cooperative cam lever to limit relative angular movement therebetween in one direction, spring means operative upon each cam lever and its cooperative shifting lever tending to maintain the extensions thereof in abutment, cam means for pivoting at least one of said cam levers in the course of operation of said attachment, whereby the cooperative shifting lever is similarly pivoted, a spacer block pivotally mounted on each of said cam lever extensions and disposed for interposition between said cam lever extension and the cooperative shifting lever extension to alter the normal relative positional relationship therebetween, and an adjustment screw extending from each of said shifting lever extensions adapted to limit the approach of said extension to the cooperative spacer block, said spacer block having a stop ledge adapted to engage said adjustment screw to prevent inadvertent displacement of said spacer block.

13. In a full-fashioned knitting machine, a carrier rod alternating attachment of the two lever type including two cam levers, a shifting lever cooperative with each of said cam levers, an extension on each cam lever, an ex tension on each shifting lever cooperative with the extension of the cooperative cam lever to limit relative angular movement therebetween in one direction, spring means operative upon each cam lever and its cooperative shifting lever tending to maintain the extensions thereof in abutment, cam means for pivoting at least one of said cam levers in the course of operation of said attachment, whereby the cooperative shifting lever is similarly pivoted, and movable spacing means associated with each cooperative pair of extensions adapted to alter the normal relative positional relationship between said shifting levers and said cam levers to efiect operative alignment of said shifting levers with diverse groups of carrier rods of the machine.

14. The invention as defined in claim 13, including adjustment means associated with each shifting lever extension adapted to limit the approach of said extension to the cooperative spacing means, and further adjustment means associated with each cam lever extension adapted to limit the approach of the cooperative shifting lever extension thereto.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,346,105 Haehnel Apr. 4,1944, 

